Meet Marquita Thomas | Founding President & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marquita Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marquita, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After 13 years as a municipal chamber leader, I founded the California LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce to address the growing number of economic improvement opportunities for LGBT-owned businesses I have been able to create and/or advance during my career.

One noteworthy opportunity is the California Public Utilities 1.5% spend goal for LGBTBE (LGBT Business Enterprises) in compliance with General Order 156 which went into effect on January 1, 2024.

In real numbers, the 1.5% spend goal is $600M in procurement; however, there are unfortunately only 297 California-based certified LGBT-owned companies in the California Supplier Clearinghouse. This demonstrates a dire need for a statewide chamber dedicated to educating LGBT-owned businesses on the benefits of getting certified and helping them build capacity to do business with large companies in the private and public sectors.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Before becoming a chamber leader, I was heavily involved in providing more access and equity within the LGBTQ community. I worked on a number of boards and with community organizations, addressing a variety of issues to reduce societal restraints for LGBTQ individuals.

In addition to that advocacy work, I also created a number of LGBTQ-focused events specifically for the Black lesbian community, including a queer women of color music festival called Serafemme, for which I received several awards. Through this event production experience, I gained invaluable skills in nonprofit management, event logistics, digital marketing, corporate partnership development, community building, and strategic planning.

This diverse skillset set me apart from many others in the LGBTQ advocacy space, who typically only possessed one or two of these capabilities. Leveraging this well-rounded expertise, I was able to drive remarkable growth during my tenure as a chamber leader – increasing membership by 800% and corporate partnerships by 1100%. I also developed innovative programming that garnered global recognition for the organization.

Ultimately, my background as a multifaceted community organizer and events entrepreneur, coupled with my chamber leadership experience, uniquely positioned me to found the California LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. This statewide organization is dedicated to addressing the growing economic opportunities I have created and advanced for LGBTQ-owned businesses throughout my career.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When my little sister recently visited Los Angeles for the first time, I wanted to pack in as much as possible during her short stay, as there is simply so much to see and do in the city.

From hiking and beach days to museums, historical tours, and celebrity sightings, Los Angeles offers an incredibly diverse array of experiences. During her few days in town, I made sure to take my sister to some of the city’s must-see destinations and cultural hotspots.

We enjoyed meals at beachfront restaurants, explored the vibrant neighborhoods of West Hollywood, and sought out murals honoring local legends like Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant. We also visited the iconic Santa Monica Pier, the beautiful Rose Garden, browsed shops at the Crenshaw Mall, and tried some of the best Black-owned restaurants the city has to offer.

Unfortunately, our packed schedule didn’t leave room for everything on our list – we weren’t able to catch a comedy show due to fatigue, and we missed out on visiting the Geffen Museum since tickets were sold out. But overall, we made the most of her brief stay, giving my sister a comprehensive taste of the endless possibilities that Los Angeles holds.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely, I’d be honored to dedicate a shoutout to Louise Chernin, the retired former Executive Director of the GSBA, Washington’s LGBTQ+ and allied chamber of commerce.

Louise served as a true trailblazer and champion for the LGBTQ+ business community in the Pacific Northwest. During her almost 19-year tenure leading the Greater Seattle Business Alliance, she worked tirelessly to build the organization into a powerful voice and resource hub for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and professionals.

Through Louise’s visionary leadership, the GSBA expanded its reach, strengthened its advocacy efforts, and created groundbreaking programs to support the growth and visibility of LGBTQ+-owned businesses. She forged invaluable partnerships with corporations, government agencies, and community organizations, ensuring LGBTQ+ business owners had access to vital opportunities, capital, and mentorship.

But Louise’s impact went beyond the confines of the business alliance. She was a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights more broadly, lending her voice and influence to push for inclusive policies and legislation at the local and state level. Her unwavering commitment to equality and empowerment inspired so many in the community.

I’m truly grateful to have experienced Louise’s mentorship and guidance firsthand. Her relentless passion, strategic acumen, and dedication to lifting up others have been instrumental in shaping my own journey as a community leader. Louise’s legacy continues to reverberate, serving as a guiding light for those of us who strive to create a more equitable and prosperous future for LGBTQ+ businesses and individuals.

To Louise Chernin, a true pioneer and change-maker – thank you for your invaluable contributions, and for being such a profound source of inspiration.

Website: www.calrainbowchamber.org

Instagram: @marquitathomas

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquitathomas/

Twitter: @marquitathomas

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553051944250

Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/out-for-business-61119159093

Image Credits
One picture is with Marquita Thomas and Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair, 51st District Rick Zbur